Active agent delivery and/or odor retentive composition and methods of use thereof

ABSTRACT

An active agent delivery and/or odor retentive composition including a surfactant and wax spheres formed from at least one of beeswax and soy wax and methods of use thereof. The composition is particularly useful in the cosmetics and medical industry for delivering/carrying a particular ingredient to one&#39;s skin, scalp or hair; for absorbing odor causing materials, such as fuel byproducts from a skin surface; and/or for providing exfoliating properties to the skin. The delivery system/carrying system is also useful in binding to certain nutritional materials, such as vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and the like for ingestion and release into the body.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority as a divisional of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/491,903, filed on Jun. 25, 2009, now U.S. Pat.No. 8,236,333 which is a continuation-in-part to U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 12/090,927, filed on Apr. 21, 2008, now abandoned which is thenational stage of International Application No. PCT/US2006/041162, filedon Oct. 19, 2006, the contents of each of which are expresslyincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates generally to uses of and compositions comprisingwax spheres comprising at least one of soy wax and beeswax. Theinvention is particularly useful in the cosmetic, nutritional and/ormedical industry.

2. Description of Related Art

Cleansers and topical application materials for treating skin and/orscalp conditions, removing contaminants, and/or providing exfoliatingproperties to the skin/scalp are common in the cosmetic and medicalindustry. U.S. Pat. No. 6,447,789 shows an example of one type of facialcleanser having a formulation comprising a phosphate salt that providesexfoliating properties and sequestering properties for removing harmfulmetals from the skin. Other examples of cleansing formulations aretaught by U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,292,326; 4,386,104; 5,385,943; and 4,885,282.A major drawback for many of these types of cleansers or topicalformulations is that they can deleteriously react with one's skincausing skin irritations, rashes, redness, crusting, and the like.

Carrying mediums for ingestion within the body to deliver an activeingredient or nutritional supplement such as vitamins, minerals,nutrients, antioxidants and the like are also known. Some types ofnutritional supplements are difficult to bind with these carryingmediums and/or are not water soluble. As such, the preparation of thesenutritional supplements for ingestion into the body, is difficult andcostly. Further, these carrying mediums can deleteriously react with thebody and/or result in undesirable side effects.

There is a need in the art for a delivery method using adelivery/carrying medium which is relatively benign and unreactive withthe body tissues, inexpensive to produce and easy to combine with othercomponents.

Accordingly, there is a present need for a system and composition fordelivering an active ingredient comprised of a cost-effective, readilyavailable material, which, can be applied either topically or internallyto a body, which is relatively benign in nature having little to no sideeffects.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an active ingredient delivery and/or odorretentive composition that is particularly useful in the cosmetics andmedical industry for delivering/carrying a particular ingredient toone's skin, scalp or hair; for absorbing odor causing materials, such asfuel byproducts from a skin surface; and/or for providing exfoliatingproperties to the skin. The delivery system/carrying system is alsouseful in binding to certain nutritional materials, such as vitamins,minerals, antioxidants and the like for ingestion and release into thebody. The present invention also provides a composition and methods ofuse thereof which address the problems associated with prior art.

According to one aspect, the invention is directed to a composition forthe topical application to skin and/or hair or for ingestion into abody. The composition comprises a surfactant and wax spheres comprisedof at least one of beeswax and soy wax. The wax spheres are typicallyhollow spheres having an average diameter of between 0.20 and 1,000micrometers. According to one embodiment, the wax spheres are present inan amount of between 2 and 8% by weight based on the total weight of thecomposition. The wax spheres can include a lipid-soluble compoundabsorbed therein. This lipid-soluble compound can be a vitamin orvitamin precursor.

According to another aspect, the invention is directed to a wax spherecomprised of at least one of beeswax and soy wax, wherein the wax spherecomprises a lipid-soluble compound absorbed therein. The wax sphere canbe a hollow sphere having an average diameter of between 0.20 and 1,000micrometers and the lipid-soluble compound is a lipid-soluble vitamin orvitamin precursor. According to one embodiment, the lipid-solublecompound is a tocopherol compound. According to another embodiment, thelipid-soluble compound is a nutritional supplement.

According to yet another aspect, the invention is directed to a methodof cleaning or treating the skin or hair comprising the step oftopically applying to the skin or hair a composition comprising waxspheres comprised of at least one of beeswax and soy wax. The methodfurther includes the step of massaging the composition against the skinor hair so as to rupture the wax spheres or to cause the wax spheres tocontact and absorb lipid-soluble compounds from the skin and/or hair.This can further include the step of massaging the composition againstthe skin so as to exfoliate the surface of the skin. According to oneembodiment, the wax spheres are hollow and can have a lipid-solublesubstance absorbed therein.

These and other features and characteristics of the present invention,as well as the methods of operation and functions of the relatedelements of structures and the combination of parts and economies ofmanufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of thefollowing description with reference to the accompanying examples. It isto be expressly understood, however, that the examples are for thepurpose of description only and are not intended as a definition of thelimits of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides wax spheres comprised of soy wax and/orbeeswax and the use of those wax spheres to deliver to the body and/orremove from the body lipid-soluble substances. The present inventionalso provides compositions including these wax spheres.

As used herein, the term “lipid” means any fat-soluble molecule,including, but not limited to, fats, oils, waxes, cholesterol, sterols,fat-soluble vitamins, monoglycerides, diglycerides, and phospholipids.The term “lipid-soluble” refers to a compound's lipophilicity, orability to dissolve in fats, oils, lipids, and non-polar solvents.

The wax spheres are comprised of soy wax, beeswax, or a combinationthereof. Generally, the wax spheres are hollow and, in one embodiment,the spheres have an external diameter in a range between about 0.20 and1,000 micrometers and, in another embodiment, the spheres have anexternal diameter between about 5 to 50 micrometers. Optionally, thespheres may contain suitable chemical- and/or petrochemical-degradingmicrobes, such as various species of Pseudomonas or Bacillus, inconcentrations of about 5×10⁶ microbes per 200 pounds of wax.

Either the hollow or bacteria-filled form of the wax spheres can bemanufactured by conventional technology known to those skilled in theart. Several prior art devices are suitable for manufacturing the hollowspheres. Suitable devices include the Komfeld Rotary Reactor, a devicedeveloped by NASA (see NASA Tech Briefs, MFS-28214, “Rotary ReactorMakes Large Latex Particles”); or through utilization of otherencapsulating devices or processes, such as the Vanderhoff RotaryReactor (also a NASA technology), by microshell manufacturers, e.g., KMSIndustries of Ann Arbor, Mich., Picro-Pak, Inc. of NY, or InsulatedTechnologies Corp. of Philadelphia, Pa. The spheres may be made by themethod described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,807,724, which is incorporatedherein by reference.

A method is provided for manufacturing wax spheres comprising soy wax.The method comprises several steps. The first step involves heating soywax to a temperature above 135° F. and pressurizing the tank to at least340 psi, wherein the first tank is connected to a brass housing.Optionally, an amount of beeswax can be heated along with the soy wax,creating a homogenous wax mixture. Preferably, the amount of soy wax inthe wax mixture is between 50% and 99% of the total weight of themixture and ideally the amount of soy wax is between 60% and 80%. Thesecond step involves providing a second tank filled with one of thegroup selected from air, water and solution containing live microbes andnutrients, and pressurizing the tank to at least 300 psi, wherein thesecond tank is connected to the brass housing. The third step involvesspraying the soy wax or wax mixture and one of the group selected fromair, water and solution containing live microbes and nutrients through ahypodermic needle with an external orifice connected to the brasshousing, wherein the soy wax or wax mixture is sprayed through theexternal orifice having an internal diameter of at least 12 thousandthsof an inch, and wherein the one of the group selected from air, waterand solution containing live microbes and nutrients is sprayed throughthe hypodermic needle having an internal diameter of at least 5thousandths of an inch. The fourth step involves cooling the sprayed soywax or wax mixture to below 135° F. to form spheres comprising soy waxor wax mixture. The spheres may also be made by other methods known tothose skilled in the art.

Suitable forms of soy wax can be obtained from any commerciallyavailable source. For example, suitable soy wax pellets produced frompartially hydrogenated soybean oil are sold by Archer Daniels MidlandCo. (ADM), identified by product number 88-583-1. The Product Data Sheetproviding partially hydrogenated specifications for soy wax product88-583-1 is incorporated herein by reference. Other suitable forms ofsoy wax are known to one skilled in the art. Natural beeswax isavailable commercially through distributors and is usually sold in 15 to25 pound slabs. Beeswax spheres are described in U.S. Pat. No.6,699,390, the contents of which are expressly incorporated herein byreference. The economic advantages of substituting some or all of thebeeswax for soy wax in the hollow spheres are based upon commerciallyavailable soy wax pellets, which are derived from the plentiful sourceof soy beans. Soy wax pellets sell at a market price that issufficiently less in comparison to the market price of beeswax.

Wax spheres are non-toxic and relatively inexpensive. In addition, thegeometric characteristics, such as the small size and sphericalconfiguration, provide a large exterior surface area relative to thevolume and weight of the spheres. The large surface area provides alarge area through which lipid-soluble substances can be absorbed by andreleased from the wax spheres.

In one non-limiting embodiment, a composition suitable for applicationto the skin and/or hair and having an amount of the above-described waxspheres dispersed throughout is provided. In some non-limitingapplications, the composition can be used to remove lipid-solublesubstances, such as dirt and oil, from the skin and/or hair. In somenon-limiting applications, the composition can additionally (oralternatively) be used to deliver a lipid-soluble substance that hasbeen absorbed in the wax sphere to the skin and/or hair.

The wax spheres are suspended or dispersed in the composition but notcompletely dissolved within. While in some embodiments, the wax spheresmay be evenly or at least substantially evenly distributed throughoutthe composition, the invention is not so limited. Because the waxspheres may be denser than other components of the composition, the waxspheres may congregate at a particular position relative to theremaining portions of the composition. For instance, the wax spheres mayaggregate near the bottom of a container housing the composition whenthe container is in a vertically upright position. Agitation of thecomposition will allow the wax spheres to disperse throughout.

A composition including the wax spheres described herein can be used toclean the skin and/or hair to remove unwanted organic, lipid-solublecompounds therefrom. It has been found that the wax spheres describedherein can absorb, and thus remove, a lipid-soluble substance from theskin and/or hair. Built-up organic substances in the skin and hair cancause an offensive odor and increase the toxicity level in the skin. Forinstance, volatile organic compounds, such as those derived frompetroleum sources like gasoline, diesel fuel, and machine oils, canrapidly penetrate the outer layer of the skin or hair and can produceboth lasting odors and skin irritation. It has been found that thelipid-absorbing activity of the wax spheres can act to draw the organiccompounds away from the skin and hair where they can be absorbed by thewax spheres.

A composition including the wax spheres can also provide an exfoliatingeffect when applied to the skin. Exfoliation is commonly defined as theprocess of removing dead skin cells from the body. Exfoliation can beachieved through the mechanical scrubbing of the skin with an abrasivematerial such as a sponge or loofah. When a composition having the waxspheres described herein is applied to the skin, the wax spheres can actas an exfoliating agent by providing abrasion when the composition isrubbed on the body. The exfoliating force of the wax spheres may be muchless harsh than many available exfoliation techniques, such as thosemechanical abrasive materials mentioned above.

The wax spheres can make up between about 0.5 and about 25 wt %, such asbetween 2 and 8 wt %, based on the total weight of the composition. Insome non-limiting embodiments, the composition includes about 5 wt % waxspheres based on the total weight of the composition.

The composition may also include one or more surfactant materials. Anysuitable surfactant that does not detrimentally interfere or react withthe wax spheres or the other components in the composition can be used.This includes, but is not limited to, amphoteric or zwitterionicsurfactants, anionic surfactants, nonionic surfactants, and/or cationicsurfactants. Some non-limiting examples of suitable surfactants includesodium methyl-2-sulfolaurate, disodium sulfolaurate, cetrimoniumchloride, cocoamidopropyl betaine, and sodium lauryl sulfoacetate. Othersuitable surfactants include those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,485,609and 7,524,807, the contents of which are expressly incorporated hereinby reference.

As would be recognized by those skilled in the art, the surfactant canrepresent the major component of the composition, with the amount of thesurfactant ranging from about 20 up to about 95 wt % based on the totalweight of the composition, though compositions containing lesssurfactant are also envisioned.

The composition may optionally include other ingredients and additivescommonly used in creating skin and/or hair cleaning formulations aswould be appreciated by one skilled in the art. Some non-limitingexamples of additional ingredients include fragrances, moisturizingagents (including, but not limited to, emollients and humectants), dyes,organosilicon compounds, preservatives, and thickeners, which can eachindependently be provided in amounts as necessary for consumeracceptance. Some non-limiting examples of suitable thickening agentsinclude xanthan gum, xanthan gum brine tolerant, hydroxypropylcellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, cellulose esters, carrageenans,sodium alginate, cetyl alcohol, carbopol, guar gum, and gum acacia.Non-limiting examples of suitable moisturizing agents include, forexample, urea, glycerin, sorbitol, xylitol, PCA, amino acids, andmineral oils. Non-limiting examples of suitable organosilicon compounds,which can be used to make hair shiny or slippery, includepolydimethylsiloxanes (dimethicones). Non-limiting examples of suitablepreservatives include C₁-C₄ parabens (e.g., methylparaben,ethylparaben), capryl glycol, hexylene glycol, and methylisothiazolones.Water, such as deionized water, may also be included in the compositionin amounts necessary to accomplish the desired consistency, viscosity orother properties of the composition.

In some embodiments, the composition can be in the form of anoil-in-water or water-in-oil emulsion and include, in addition to thewax spheres, thickeners, such as those listed above, emulsifying agents(which may be a surfactant) including glycerols, and/or polysorbates,preservatives, fragrances, water, etc.

The compositions can be prepared by adding each of the components of thecomposition in a vessel and agitating the vessel to distribute thecomponents. In one embodiment, water can be added to a final mixingvessel and propeller agitation can be started. If more than onesurfactant material is being added to the composition, the surfactantscan be mixed together in a separate vessel and then added to the water.In a separate vessel, the wax spheres and other additives, such asfragrances and moisturizing agents, can be mixed and a preservative canbe added. The individual mixtures can then be combined in a final mixingvessel and the composition can be agitated, such as through propelleragitation or other mechanical mixing, to distribute the components ofthe composition.

As mentioned above, a composition including the wax spheres can be usedto deliver to the skin and/or hair a lipid-soluble substance. Forinstance, it has been found that the wax spheres can be prepared to havea lipid-soluble substance absorbed therein. Upon contacting a lipidsurface, such as the surface of the skin or hair, a wax sphere canrelease or transfer the lipid-soluble substance from the area having ahigh concentration of the substance (i.e., the sphere) to the lipidsurface (i.e. the skin or hair surface), which initially has a lowerconcentration of the substance. It is believed that the transferproperties can be approximated by Fick's laws of diffusion. Differentrelease or transfer rates can be achieved by changing the size of thespheres, and thus the surface area, and the loading amount of thelipid-soluble substance.

In some non-limiting embodiments, the wax spheres described above canhave absorbed therein a lipid-soluble vitamin or vitamin precursorcompound, and preferably compounds which exhibit vitamin activitybeneficial to the skin and/or hair. The term “vitamin precursor”includes compounds that can be converted into a vitamin by the body, andis sometimes referred to in the art as a “vitamer”. Some non-limitingexamples of useful compounds include vitamin E or precursors thereof,such as tocols and tocotrienols, and preferably tocopherol-basedcompounds such as tocopheryl acetate, vitamin B-12 or precursorsthereof, such as cyanocobalamin, hydroxocobalamin, methylcobalamin, or5-deoxyadenosylcobalamin, vitamin B-3 or precursors thereof, such asniacinamide and nicotinic acid, vitamin A or precursors thereof, such asaxerophtol or retinoic acid, vitamin D, vitamin D₃, vitamin K, and thelike, including precursors thereof. The amount of each vitamin that isincluded in the composition can be adapted based to specific needs anddepends, at least in part, on the quantity and loading capability of theparticular wax spheres used in a particular composition. For example, ahigh concentration of vitamin E may be preferred for compositionsdirected to consumers having particularly damaged skin or hair.

Wax spheres having a lipid-soluble substance absorbed therein can beproduced by mechanically mixing together the lipid-soluble substance andthe wax spheres. By adjusting the size of the wax spheres, the totalload (i.e., amount) of the lipid-soluble substance absorbed by thespheres can be adjusted. In some instances, it may be preferred to firstsolubilize the lipid-soluble substance in oil. Once the lipid-solublesubstance is solubilized, wax spheres can be contacted with thesolution, allowing the wax spheres to absorb the solution, including thedissolved lipid-soluble substance. Non-limiting examples of suitableoils that may be used to solubilize a vitamin compound include soy beanoil and rice bran oil, though any vegetable or animal oil that candissolve the subject lipid-soluble substance may potentially be used. Tofacilitate the dissolving of the lipid-soluble substance in the oil, theoil may be heated as needed. Many common vitamin compounds, such astocopherol, are provided in a liquid form, and do not need to besolubilized prior to coming in contact with the wax spheres.

In some non-limiting embodiments, the wax spheres may have absorbedtherein a chemical exfoliate or keratolytic agent. Keratolytic agents,when contacted with the skin, can aid in the loosening or shedding ofthe skin. Potentially useful chemical exfoliates include acid-based,organic exfoliates such as salicylic acid. The chemical exfoliates canbe combined with the wax spheres according to the procedures outlinedabove with respect to the vitamin compounds, including a procedure inwhich the exfoliate is first solubilized in an oil-based solution, suchas soy bean oil, and then taken up by the wax spheres.

Other lipid-soluble chemicals and compounds useful in the treatment ofthe hair or skin can be similarly employed. Wax spheres including morethan one lipid-soluble compound may also be used.

Methods are provided for using the above-described compositions to treator clean skin or hair. In one embodiment, the compositions can betopically applied to the skin to remove from the skin unwanted organic,lipid-soluble compounds that may be on or below the surface of the skin.If it is desired to achieve an exfoliating effect from the use of thecomposition, the method may include gently rubbing or massaging thecomposition against the surface of the skin to allow the wax spheres togently exfoliate the skin and remove dead skin cells. Inclusion of a waxsphere having a chemical exfoliate absorbed therein can also be used toincrease the exfoliating effect.

If the wax spheres of the composition have absorbed therein alipid-soluble substance, the method may include a step of massaging thecomposition against the skin so as to rupture the wax spheres, therebyreleasing the lipid-soluble substance onto the skin more rapidly. Inanother embodiment, the compositions can be applied to the hair. Afterthe composition has been applied to the hair, the method may include astep of rubbing or massaging the composition against the scalp.

In some non-limiting embodiments, the wax spheres can also be used as anutritional supplement that can be ingested by the body. Manynutritional supplements, such as certain antioxidants and vitamins, arenot water-soluble. For example, the antioxidant ellagic acid is notwater-soluble, making it difficult to incorporate it into food products.Ellagic acid can, however, be incorporated, or absorbed, into the waxspheres described herein according to the methods described. Once waxspheres having the nutritional supplement absorbed therein have beenprepared, they can then be directly ingested as an ingestible orincorporated into a food product, such as a vitamin bar, forconsumption. Some potential advantages of incorporating nutritionalsupplements in this manner is ease of preparation, even distribution,cold preparation, that is, no heat needed, and protection fromoxidation.

The following examples are intended to further illustrate the inventionand are not meant to be limiting.

EXAMPLES Example 1

A non-limiting example of a cleansing composition having wax spheres isshown below in Table 1:

TABLE 1 Amount Ingredient (by weight %) mixture of sodiummethyl-2-sulfolaurate, disodium 50.00 sulfolaurate, and sodium laurylsulfoacetate Deionized water 28.30 Cocoamidopropyl betaine 9.60 Beeswaxspheres 5.00 Cetrimonium chloride 4.00 Glycerin 1.50 Preservative 0.80Xanthan gum 0.50 Fragrance (Raw honey) 0.30

The composition of Table 1 was prepared by adding water to a finalmixing vessel and beginning propeller agitation. A premix of theglycerin and xanthan gum was prepared in a separate vessel and thenadded to the water phase. The surfactants were combined in a separatevessel and added to the water phase. In a separate vessel, thecetrimonium chloride, wax spheres and fragrance were mixed, and then apreservative was added. The pH level was measured to be 5.0.

Example 2

An oil-in-water emulsion composition including wax spheres in which avitamin E compound is absorbed therein is described. All weight percentsare based on the total weight of the final composition. The wax sphereshaving the vitamin compound can be produced by contacting wax spheres,such as those described herein, with tocopheryl acetate or tocopherol,which are present as a liquid. The quantity of wax spheres used can varydepending on the harshness desired for the composition. If a harshcleanser (in terms of mechanical abrasiveness) is desired, about 5 wt %wax spheres should be used. If a less harsh composition is desired, 1 wt% wax spheres can be used. Amounts between 1 and 5 wt % can be employedas desired. The amount of vitamin compound depends, in part, on thequantity and loading capabilities of the wax spheres, but, in oneexample, about 1 wt % tocopheryl acetate or tocopherol is used.

The composition can further include between 1 and 5 wt % cetyl alcoholas a thickener, between 5 and 7 wt % glycerol monostearate SE as anemulsifying agent, about 1 wt % polysorbate 20 (TWEEN 20) as anemulsifying agent, between about 0.1 and 0.2 wt % fragrance, and acombination of methylparaben and butylparaben as a preservative at atotal amount of about 0.2 wt %. A quantity sufficient (“q.s.”) amount ofdeionized water is added to bring the composition to the desired weight.

This formulation allows the wax spheres to remain in suspension and tobe topically applied in a uniform layer over the skin surface. As theskin is also a lipid layer, the vitamin E will be attracted to the lipidlayer of the skin by mass diffusion. Rubbing the spheres causes thevitamin E to be delivered in a more rapid manner as the spheres arecrushed, releasing the vitamin E more quickly.

Example 3

In another non-limiting example, a composition including wax sphereshaving a chemical exfoliate absorbed therein is provided. The details ofthe composition are shown below in Table 2. This example shows anexfoliating beeswax scrub for calloused areas. This formula contains acombination of gentle exfoliation wax spheres that are impregnated withsalicylic acid. This results in a dual action of a chemical keratolyticaction on the callous along with a gentle mechanical abrasive action(from the wax spheres) as well. The net effect is to remove the callousgradually, painlessly and safely.

TABLE 2 Amount Ingredient (by weight %) mixture of disodium 2sulfolaurate and sodium lauryl 45.30 sulfoacetate Deionized water 28.00Cocoamidopropyl betaine 9.60 Complex of beeswax spheres and salicylicacid 10.00 solubilized in soy bean oil Cetrimonium chloride 4.00Glycerin 1.50 Preservative (Capryl glycol, hexylene glycol, and 0.80Methylisothiazolone) Xanthan gum 0.50 Fragrance (Raw honey) 0.30

The preparation of salicylic acid-containing beeswax spheres is achievedby heating 100 grams of soy bean oil to 50° C. and adding 10 grams ofsalicylic acid (as a powder) to the heated oil to dissolve the acidtherein. Then 100 grams of the beeswax spheres are contacted with theoil solution. The beeswax spheres absorb the oil and the salicylic acid.The thus prepared beeswax spheres include a chemical exfoliate (i.e. thesalicylic acid) as an integral part of the physical component. In otherwords, the salicylic acid is an integral component of the beeswaxspheres.

The formula in Table 2 was prepared as follows. The water was added tothe final mixing vessel. The xanthan gum and glycerin were premixed in aseparate vessel and then added to the water phase. In another vessel,the surfactants were combined and blended and then added to the waterphase. In another vessel, the cetrimonium chloride, fragrance andbeeswax/salicylic acid complex were blended and then added to the waterphase. The preservative was then added to the water phase, the mixturewas blended and the pH was adjusted to 5.0, as needed.

Example 4

Another non-limiting example of a composition according to the presentinvention is shown below in Table 3. This example shows a gentle,all-body scrub for removal of devitalized tissue. Deionized water islisted twice in Table 3, for reasons that will be explained below.

TABLE 3 Ingredient Amount (by weight %) Deionized water 47.58 CarbopolUltrez 20¹ 0.90 Sodium Hydroxide (18% by volume) 0.12 Deionized water(combined with HiCare) 6.00 HiCare 1000² 0.10 Tetrasodium EDTA 0.10Colonial SLES-2³ 34.00 Sodium Cocoamphoacetate 5.00 Dimethicone 200⁴0.70 Wax spheres having a 60-40 blend of soy and 5.00 bees wax Phenonip⁵0.50 ¹thickening agent available from Lubrizol. ²cationic guar gumavailable from Rhone-Poulenc Rorer. ³sodium laureth sulfate surfactantavailable from Colonial Chemicals, Inc. ⁴a polydimethylsiloxane having aviscosity of 200 centistokes. ⁵a preservative available from ClariantFunctional Chemicals.

The formula in Table 3 was prepared as follows. Water was added to thefinal mixing vessel (representing the first “Deionized water” entry inTable 3). A gel mixture was prepared by solubilizing the Carbopol withthe sodium hydroxide. The HiCare was prepared in water (representing thesecond “Deionized water” entry in Table 3) and EDTA was added. Theremaining ingredients were mixed and added to the final mixing vessel.The HiCare and Carbopol were then added and the mixture was blendedwell. The formula was then ready for packaging.

Example 5

A non-limiting example of a vitamin candy bar composition comprising waxspheres having absorbed therein a nutritional supplement is provided.Preparation of the candy bar begins with a base of nut butter or organicdates. A variety of proteins such as whey protein, rice protein, organicnuts and/or flaxseed can then be added. Next, natural sweeteners such ascherries, raisins, cranberries, etc, can be added in the appropriateamounts corresponding to the desired sweetness level. Various grains andseasonings such as, for example, cocoa powder or cinnamon can be added.

An oil-soluble vitamin compound, such as a vitamin A, D and/or Ecompound, is mixed with rice bran oil to solubilize the vitamin. Anequal volume of wax spheres can be contacted with the vitamin solutionand the wax spheres absorb the solution. The wax spheres, with thevitamin solution absorbed therein, can then added to the base candy barcomposition. The composition is blended and then pressed into a barshape for packaging.

The formulation allows nutritional supplements to remain bound untilingested into the body. Once ingested the supplement is released. Thissystem is especially useful for the ingestion of some nutritionalsupplements that are not water-soluble and difficult to incorporate intofood products. This system also allows for an even distribution of thenutritional supplement and is easy to prepare.

While the present invention is satisfied by embodiments in manydifferent forms, there is described herein in detail the preferredembodiments of the invention, with the understanding that the presentdisclosure is to be considered as exemplary of the principles of theinvention and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodimentsillustrated. Various other embodiments will be apparent to and readilymade by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope andspirit of the invention. The scope of the invention will be measured bythe appended claims and their equivalents.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method of cleaning or treating the skinor hair comprising the steps of topically applying to the skin or hair acomposition comprising a surfactant in an amount between 20 and 95% byweight based on the total weight of the composition and wax spherescomprised of at least one of beeswax and soy wax, wherein at least afirst portion of the wax spheres are hollow spheres adapted to absorborganic, lipid-soluble substances from the skin and/or hair; andmassaging the composition against the skin or hair so as to cause thewax spheres to absorb lipid-soluble compounds from the skin and/or hair.2. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further includes the stepof massaging the composition against the skin so as to exfoliate thesurface of the skin.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein a second portionof the wax spheres comprise an organic exfoliate absorbed therein. 4.The method of claim 3, wherein the organic exfoliate is salicylic acid.5. The method of claim 3, wherein the method further includes the stepof massaging the composition against the skin and/or hair so as torupture the wax spheres of the second portion, and thereby deliver theorganic exfoliate to the skin and/or hair.
 6. The method of claim 1,wherein a second portion of the wax spheres have a lipid-solublesubstance absorbed therein.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein thelipid-soluble substance is a vitamin or vitamin precursor.
 8. The methodof claim 7, wherein the method further includes the step of massagingthe composition against the skin or hair so as to rupture the waxspheres of the second portion and thereby deliver the vitamin or vitaminprecursor to the skin and/or hair.
 9. The method of claim 6, wherein thelipid-soluble substance is a tocopherol compound.
 10. The method ofclaim 9, wherein the method further includes the step of massaging thecomposition against the skin or hair so as to rupture the wax spheres ofthe second portion and thereby deliver the tocopherol compound to theskin and/or hair.
 11. The method of claim 6, wherein the method furtherincludes the step of massaging the composition against the skin or hairso as to rupture the wax spheres of the second portion and therebydeliver the lipid-soluble substance to the skin and/or hair.
 12. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the wax spheres comprise beeswax.